North Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE — Derrick Brown often remarks that when Eku Leota steps onto the field, the mana comes out.

In Oceanic cultures, "mana" is an unseen force, representing energy and power that can reside in anyone or anything. In Polynesian cultures, such as Samoa, mana signifies influence and efficiency—the innate ability to excel in any given situation.

"That sounds like a great description of Eku," safety Nick Scott said, noting the easy parallels.

Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney offered his assessment without hesitation. "Energy," Clowney described. "High energy guy. Got a motor; he can go. Got the whole total package. I feel like he can set the edge and he can rush the passer so that's why he's getting all the snaps."

The Panthers have played only one game this season against the New Orleans Saints. In that Week 1 matchup, Leota was on the field for 45 percent of the defense's snaps. During that time, he recorded a sack, a quarterback hurry, and three tackles for loss—the latter tied for a league high after the first slate of games.

"You can trust that he's going to go," tight end Jordan Matthews said of Leota, whom he's faced in practice often. "He's not thinking; he's playing."

Matthews added: "He's got high energy and high motor and so much of this game is built on trust. If I just can bet my bottom dollar that if you're out there, I at least know what I'm going to get—that's the first thing. The second thing is, I know what I'm going to get, and it's actually productive and that's what he's excelled at... He gets off the ball. He gets immediate pressure in the backfield."

An undrafted prospect from Auburn, Leota spent his rookie season's first half on the practice squad but played eight games by season's end after being promoted to the active roster. Coaches challenged him to step up during this offseason.

"I just tell those guys be great at what you're great at; lean on your strengths because that's what's going to get you on the field," outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu stated.

Clowney called Leota a "raw talent" who might not fully understand game speed yet but has everything needed to slow down play effectively.

"He's got all the tools to be great," Clowney said.

Leota remains a raw product for several reasons—playing his first three years at Northwestern before finishing with one year at Auburn. Panthers head coach Dave Canales has indicated he is willing to play younger players now for long-term benefits, even if it means letting Leota rely more on instinct while coaches refine his technique.

"It's like having a teenage kid who's growing; it's not so much what he says but what he's doing," Lukabu remarked. "What we do in pro football—intentions will get you beat... His actions improve every time and he's getting better."

Leota does not typically raise his voice; he is gentle and affable in a sport that often demands otherwise—until he steps onto the field.

"That's how I get it out," Leota said with a smirk.

At seven years old, Eku moved with his family from Samoa to Asheville, N.C. His first football jersey was Tom Brady’s; initially wanting to play quarterback but ended up playing center, guard, and tackle instead due to coaching decisions.

"I was called the Swiss Army knife... that's where I got good with my hands," Leota reflected on his early positions.

Off-field mana takes longer to emerge but shows itself gradually through other ways.

"When you come into the league (as an undrafted rookie) it does make you more reserved," Matthews noted.

While Leota has been increasingly visible on tape this season, he has also grown more comfortable around teammates and staffers at facilities.

"He's hilarious," Lukabu said about Leota’s personality off-field. Safety Sam Franklin echoed similar sentiments: "He's low key funny... Our coach will ask him a question and he'll be like 'yes sir.'"

Some of it stems from unintentional humor which catches teammates off-guard with unexpected one-liners according to Lukabu: "Like wait a minute who said that?"

Leota visited Samoa once since moving stateside as a child—a visit during his freshman year of high school—to reconnect with immediate family still residing there: "It was very surreal... Just knowing your roots where you came from."

Embracing his cultural heritage more closely recently led him last season into performing haka as part of rookie talent showcase—a memory cherished deeply by him today along with bringing forth mana driving Eku forward continuously.